Dry socket! It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it’s very uncomfortable. Dry socket is a painful condition that can occur after an extraction. It refers to the unlikely event that the clot forming inside the tooth socket breaks down or is washed away leaving dry exposed bone. We try to prevent this by going over specific instructions with patients after we take a tooth out. Smoking is definitely out for at least 3 days. Rinsing vigorously (might wash the clot out) and using straws (the suction might disturb the clot) for 24 hours is discouraged.
Even if you follow these rules, dry socket might occur. The discomfort you would feel is more severe than you would expect, radiates beyond the extraction site, and doesn’t get better over time. Your dentist has specific dressings to place in the socket to relieve the pain. Thankfully it’s very rare. But if it happens, we’re ready to help.
Dr. Jay Rabinovich